By Curtis Galbraith

Community

Funding boost for Lewis Hawkes renovation project

Dec 1, 2021 | 6:00 AM

The renovation project at the Lewis Hawkes Pavilion has been given a financial boost by the provincial government and the County of Grande Prairie.

The province has given Evergreen Park a $435,000 grant with the county providing some matching funds.

Park General Manager Dan Gorman says 65 per cent of the work is already done.

“Everything from new lights to new tin to concrete coming in. Just a whole new outside, a whole new front.”

“(There will be) an announcer’s booth in the back corner for our big events, new washrooms. It’s very, very exciting.”

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Gorman says there will also be a lounge and a kitchen with a concession. Seating capacity is also being increased.

“The seating capacity that we are going to have available in the Lewis Hawkes now with the bleachers that we bought and the bleachers that we can put in will be over 1200 which is significantly more than we were ever able to host in the Drysdale Centre. That will allow for bigger events to come in”

Gorman says discussions about hosting some bigger events are already underway.

He adds about $160,000 in donations to cover their commitment to match the funds from the provincial grant are still needed

“A number of the people that said they would help us when we applied, which was pre-COVID, are just doing their best to survive now and sponsorship isn’t necessarily at the top of their list, so we totally get that.”

Gorman says they have until this time next year to raise the money. Anyone interested in helping out is invited to contact Evergreen Park.

He adds the work will be finished in time for the Peace Country Classic Agri-Show next March